Chapter 23%
I never thought I would feel this way–like I belonged somewhere. Like I had a real family
Standing in the grand estate of the Malcolms, I was overwhelmed. My mother, Alina Malcolm, held my face in her hands, tears streaming down her cheeks as if she was afraid to blink and lose me again.)
“My baby my daughter. Her voice cracked, and my chest ached at the raw emotion in her eyes!
Beside her, my father, William Malcolm, looked at me like I had brought back the sun after years of darkness. We searched for you for so long,” he said, his voice deep and steady, but I could hear the emotion buried underneath
And then there were my siblings. Three of them,
Sebastian, my older brother, with the same sharp features as mine, his expression a mixture of joy and disbelief. Celeste, my younger sister, who looked like a mirror of me, except her eyes shone with mischief and excitement And Raphael, the youngest, who grinned like he had just won the lottery.
“You look just like us.” Celeste whispered, touching my face as if she had to confirm I was real.
I swallowed hard. 1 feel like I know you all already”
It was instant. The band. The connection. Like a missing piece had finally clicked into place
And in that moment, I vowed–Edward and Isabella Moretti will pay for what they did to me. For stealing me. For discarding me. For making me believe I was nothing
And I would ruin Lily too. Because she knew. She had always known I wasn’t really her sister. And yet, she let me suffer. She enjoyed my misery
I turned to my father, my real father lifting my chin. “When will the world know the truth?“|||||
His lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile. “At the grand gala this weekend. Every elite will be there. Every camera. Every media outlet. The whole world will know that my daughter has returned.”
I smiled back, feeling the weight of my past begin to crumble
“Then let’s give them a show
THE NIGHT OF THE GALA!
The air buzzed with tension. The grand ballroom was filled with the who’s who of high society–billionaires, politicians, moguls, and media personalities.
But I wasn’t thinking about them. My eyes scanned the crowd as I stepped out of the sleek, long black limousine, my arm linked with Ethan’s. The moment we arrived, the whispers began
Camera flashes exploded like fireworks. Reporters murmured furiously.”
“Isn’t that Dr. Ethan Sullivan, Seraphina’s rumored fiance?“:
“No, no, wasn’t she Enked to Jason Romano before?
“Then why is the with Ethan Sullivan? Is she playing both?”
I smirked. Let them wonder Let them talk.
Dressed in a sleek, blood–red gown that clung to my curves and draped elegantly down to the floor, I looked like a queen beside Ethan. who wore a sharp black tux, and his presence commanding as ever!!
But as I stepped forward, I felt the weight of two particular stares:
Jason Edward
I met Jason’s gaze first. He stood alone, his sharp suit impeccable, his expression unreadable–but his eyes burned with something dark and furious
Jealousy
And then, there was Edward. His jaw was clenched so tight I thought he would break his teeth. His rage was palpable, and dang, his knuckles white as he gripped his glass.
smiled at both of them, slow and mocking. Let them seethe. Let them wonder how I was still alive
Ethan leaned down slightly, his voice brushing against my ear. “You’re enjoying this way too much.“} 1tted my head, pretending to be innocent. “Am 17||
He chuckled “Youle dangerous concess
inside, I turned to Ethan and whispered, “Leave me alone for a bit. I want to see what Lily does ”
He fæesitated, fas eyes narrowing “Are you sure?“)
He sighed but nodded brushing a soft kiss again
And just as expected–Lily took the bail I
iss against my temple before stepping away?
the strode straight toward me while her heels clicking against the marble floors, and her lips curled in a smug, thumphant smirk. “Wow” she sneered “You just can’t stop, can you?||
12:30 PM
I tilted my head. “What do you mean?”
She scoffed. “First, you’re my husband’s mistress. And now you’re leeching off Dr. Ethan Sullivan too?”
I sighed dramatically. “Oh, honey.” I cooed, placing a hand over my chest. “I just love men and their attention. Then, I smirked. “Just like you. You love stealing someone else’s husband’s attention, don’t you?”
Her face twisted. Her hand rose. She swung…
But I was faster.
I stepped back, watching with amusement as she missed, her momenturn almost sending her tumbling forward.
If Edward hadn’t caught her arm, she would’ve face planted into the floor. The humiliation seared across her face!!
I smiled, tilting my head. “Careful, Lily. Hate to see you ruin that pretty dress “l
She seethed.
Edward’s grip on her tightened before he turned to me, his mocking voice slicing through the air. “You truly are a disgrace,” he sneered. “Still embarrassing yourself, I see 7.
laughed. Not the soft, fragile laugh of the girl they once knew. No. I laughed loudly, cruelly, fearlessly
I took a step closer, looking Edward dead in the eye. “I’m about to embarrass you more than you can ever imagine. Too bad failed to kill me that night.“Y
His brows furrowed “What the hell are you talking about-
But before he could finish, amicrophone echoed through the room. And my father, William Malcolm, took the stage. My smirk deepened It’s time.
your men
12:39 PM c
